CHARLOTTETOWN, Jan. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - Liam Dolan of Charlottetown is joining the Board of Directors of the Washington-based National Restaurant Association. Dolan, who owns the Claddagh Oyster Bar, Olde Dublin Pub and Peak's Quay, has been appointed for a two-year term, effective Jan. 24, 2017.

Dolan is a director and past chair of Restaurants Canada, the business association representing the restaurant and foodservice industry. Restaurants Canada nominated Dolan to serve as Canada's "exchange director" with the National Restaurant Association.

As an exchange director, Dolan will share Canadian trends and issues with his U.S. counterparts – from credit card fees to labour shortages – and bring updates and best practices back to his Canadian colleagues.

Restaurants Canada is a growing community of 30,000 foodservice businesses, including restaurants, bars, caterers, institutions and suppliers. We connect our members from coast to coast, through services, research and advocacy for a strong and vibrant restaurant industry. Canada's restaurant industry directly employs 1.2 million Canadians, is the number one source of first jobs, and serves 18 million customers every day.

With 5,600 jobs, P.E.I.'s restaurant industry is the third-largest employer in the province. It provides more first-time jobs for Islanders than any other industry.